LTRVD0359 Spring RV Preparations

Spring RV Preparations are the main segment of this week’s show. During the email segment, we received an answer to a listener question about how to make a map with all the places they have visited with attached pictures. We got a great answer from Keith Cooper on using a spreadsheet file to upload to MY Maps in Google Maps. Keith provides an example in a blog post at http://keith855.blogspot.com/ .

In the main segment, we cover many aspects of Spring RV Preparations. We start with removing the cover if you use one. Then we cover reinstalling and charging the rig batteries along with filling propane tanks.

Then we move forward to checking vital fluids in motorized rigs engines as well as in generators. We discuss exercising your generator with a load. Next up we cover repacking wheel bearings and checking tires for dry rot cracks and airing them up to the recommended cold pressure. We also check all smoke, carbon monoxide, and lp gas alarms and replace batteries as necessary.

Next up is a test of all propane fired appliances. We save the water heater until after we de-winterize the fresh water system by removing all antifreeze from the system. This is a good time to sanitize the fresh tank as well.

Now we fire up air conditioners and check all circuit breakers and GFCI circuits. This is also a good time to flush both the grey and black water holding tanks. Check all your water hoses as well as sewer hoses for leaks now as well.

The first trip in your rig should be a short shakedown to verify all systems are operating including exterior lights.

We discuss our upcoming rally, the Living the RV Dream Gathering that will happen in October at the Horseshoe Cove RV Resort in Bradenton, FL. A new addition this year will be a safety seminar and voluntary rig weighing by the RVSEF staff.

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Author: John Huggins

John is a retired Navy Electronics Technician Chief. He traded the Navy adventure for a job in manufacturing quality assurance in 1986, and traded the job for the RV adventure in early 2005. Kathy has held jobs in the medical office arena as well as raising two sons. We now have 5 grand children and one great grand child.We have done much volunteer work since hitting the road including working at the Escapees CARE center in Livingston, Texas. We also are registered Red Cross disaster volunteers, and served in a Hurricane Katrina shelter in San Antonio, Texas.Our connection to Sarasota started in 1995 when John was transferred from New Jersey to work for Electro Corporation, later to become a division of Honeywell. He retired in 2004 and we bought our motorhome and hit the road.We are life members of the Escapees RV Club, as well as members of Good Sam Club and Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA). We hold campground memberships in Thousand Trails, RPI, and Passport America. Our home park is Hart Ranch in Rapid City, SD.Lately, we have worked in campgrounds in PA, IL, SD, AZ, and FL.Nowadays, we have become podcasters, broadcasting our show, Living the RV Dream on the internet. We also have this blog we are having fun with. Check out our Books page for our books on RVing and Workamping. View all posts by John Huggins

1 thought on “LTRVD0359 Spring RV Preparations”

I always enjoy your podcasts and appreciate all you do. I tried to follow the link above but one letter is missing. It should be keithc855 and I can access it with the letter c in place. Thanks again for your podcasts. Jim